In a move to make India one of its global strategic centres, US-based computer network equipment major Cisco Systems on Wednesday said it would shift 20 per cent of its top executives to India. It also proposes to make India "Cisco Globalisation Centre East."

Addressing a press conference with Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, John Chambers, Cisco's chairman and CEO, said, "India is a very important market for Cisco's global growth strategy. Half of the future headcount growth will come from India and the country will contribute about 5 per cent to our revenues in the next 3-4 years. The country has a highly skilled workforce, innovative customers, supportive government, and world-class partners."

Wim Elfrink, the company's third-most senior official, will be its new chief globalisation officer and relocate to Bangalore next year. Elfrink, however, will retain his position of senior vice-president of customer advocacy and report to John Chambers.

The company also intends to triple its headcount in India over the next three to five years. It has 2,000-6,000 employees in the country at present. About 95 per cent of the headcount addition will be accounted for by Indians.

Cisco will also start a trial factory in Chennai for making Internet protocol-based phones, as part of its $1.1-billion investment plan for the country. The manufacturing will be done by Cisco's global partner Foxcon, and is expected to happen by April next year.

California-based Cisco  had announced in October 2005 an investment of $1.1 billion in India over the next three years.